Cody Gakpo ended a run of ten games without a goal or assist for Liverpool with his assist for Mohamed Salah in a 2-0 win over Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Dutchman, however, failed to find the back of the net with four shots and a pass for the Egyptian star to help him register an xA of 0.05, which shows just how smart the winger was.
Gakpo's assist against the Cottagers means he has produced eight goals and five assists in 45 games in all competitions for the Reds this season, despite always starting at the top of the pitch.
The Dutchman, who can play on the left or in the middle as a striker, has scored just one goal and provided one assist in 19 appearances for the club.
His output at the other end of the pitch has not been easy, at best, and Arne Slot should look to move on from the former PSV star as a regular starter heading into the 2026/27 campaign.
Liverpool are eyeing a deal to sign the £60m Premier League striker
Although Rio Ngumoha has shown promise this season, scoring a stunning goal against Fulham, the Englishman is not a versatile player like Gakpo who can play out wide or as a striker.
That means that the Reds still need to bring in a player who can play in both these areas to complete this coach who always plays Dutch football.
According to Caught Offside, Liverpool are eyeing a deal to sign the Premier League striker which could be the end of Gakpo's time as a starter at Anfield.
The report claims that the Reds and Chelsea are both preparing a move to sign Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi in next summer's transfer window.
Caught Offside quotes another source as saying: “I wouldn't be surprised if Liverpool have already had some talks. Richard Hughes has a good relationship with his old club and will speak to his teammates on the phone after the game yesterday.
The outlet add that it could take up to £60m to tempt the Cherries into selling the striker, who scored in Saturday's 2-1 Premier League win over Arsenal.
How Eli Junior Kroupi will end Cody Gakpo's career at Liverpool
Slot, or any other potential replacement if the club choose to make a summer move, could end Gakpo's career at Anfield by beating Chelsea to the race to sign Bournemouth's Kroupi.
The Cherries star became the first player since Robbie Keane 26 years ago to score 10 goals in a Premier League season as a teenager when he scored against the Gunners on Saturday.
The 19-year-old star, once described as “clinical” by Antonio Mango of the U23s, has been a revelation for Bournemouth this season, scoring ten goals at 6.57 xG, and will improve the firepower in the Liverpool team in place of Gakpo.
Liverpool's Dutch forward has scored just six goals at 6.81 xG in the Premier League so far this season, as he has failed to provide a relevant presence in the final third when chances are gone.
|
25/26 Premier League |
Kroupi |
Nope |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearance |
27 |
30 |
|
It starts |
15 |
26 |
|
Minutes |
1,253 |
2,249 |
|
xG |
6.57 |
6.81 |
|
Goals |
10 |
6 |
|
Great opportunities are not missed |
3 |
6 |
Kroupi has scored four more goals than the Netherlands international, despite playing almost 1,000 minutes, and this suggests that he will be better for the Reds.
Like Gakpo, the France U21 international is a versatile player who can play on the left or in the middle as a central striker. He has scored 10 goals in 12 starts as a left winger and 25 of his 51 starts as a striker in his short career so far.
Kroupi, who scored 22 goals in 30 Ligue 2 appearances for Lorient in the 2024/25 campaign, has already matched Gakpo's Premier League goalscoring haul, and still has a few games left to add to his tally.
Liverpool could end the Dutchman's time as a regular starter, thus throwing his long-term future into doubt, by signing the 19-year-old talent this summer, as he has the quality and flexibility to arrive as a major development for the club.
After Ngumoha's goal: £10m Anfield flop must not play again for Liverpool
One Liverpool player will be lucky to play again after Rio Ngumoha's game against Fulham.
